Label issuing apparatus

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a hand scanner having an optical reader portion for reading data optically, a memory portion for storing the data read by the optical reader portion, and a light emitting portion for outputting the data stored in the memory portion as a light signal, and also provided is a printer comprising, in a successively connected arrangement, a light receiving portion for receiving the light signal emitted from the light emitting portion of the hand scanner, an opto-electro transducer means for converting the light signal received by the light receiving portion into an electric signal, a printing control portion for controlling printing in accordance with the electric signal obtained by the opto-electro transducer means, and a printing portion for making printing on a label in accordance with the control made by the printing control portion. Thus, the transfer of data from the hand scanner to the printer is realized by such optical means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A label issuing apparatus comprising: a hand scanner having an optical reader portion for reading data optically, a memory portion for storing the data read by said optical reader portion, and a light emitting portion for outputting the data stored in said memory portion as a light signal; and   a printer comprising, in a successively connected arrangement, a light receiving portion for receiving the light signal emitted from said light emitting portion of said hand scanner, an opto-electro transducer means for converting the light signal received by said light receiving portion into an electric signal, a printing control portion for controlling printing in accordance with the electric signal obtained by said opto-electro transducer means, and a printing portion for making printing on a label in accordance with the control made by said printing control portion.   
     
     
       2. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elongated pasteboard wound up in the form of a roll is provided as a label pasteboard and is positioned in a central part of the interior of said printer, and functional components of said printer are disposed around said pasteboard inside said printer. 
     
     
       3. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said functional components are disposed in such positions as to attain a uniform weight distribution of said printer vertically and transversely. 
     
     
       4. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shoulder belt and a handle are provided on different sides of said printer. 
     
     
       5. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting portion has a light emitting element disposed in the front end portion of said hand scanner, while said printer has a light receiving hole for fitting therein of the front end portion of the hand scanner removably, and said light receiving portion is disposed inside said light receiving hole. 
     
     
       6. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said light receiving hole is closed hermetically with a transparent plate. 
     
     
       7. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reading element of said optical reader portion and a light emitting element of said light emitting portion are disposed in a front end portion of said hand scanner in positions adjacent to each other. 
     
     
       8. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hand scanner is provided with a keyboard and a data correcting means for modifying the data stored in said memory portion or adding an additional data thereto in accordance with data inputted from said keyboard. 
     
     
       9. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said hand scanner is further provided with a display for displaying the data stored in said memory portion. 
     
     
       10. A label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elongated pasteboard wound up in the form of a roll is provided; a pasteboard receiving portion for holding said pasteboard rotatably is provided in the interior of said printer; a pasteboard feed portion for the conveyance of said pasteboard is disposed between said pasteboard receiving portion and said printing portion; a label separator for separating each label from the pasteboard is disposed between said pasteboard feed portion and said printing portion; and a pasteboard guide surface extending from said pasteboard feed portion to a paper discharge port of said printer is formed integrally with the wall surface of said pasteboard receiving portion.